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Monday, July 2, 2012

Music An Orchestral Flash Mob Is A Good Flash Mob

Posted by Jen Graves on Mon, Jul 2, 2012 at 11:30 AM

This is pretty sweet. And an orchestral flash mob is a good flash mob because it doesn't feel the same as when the just-post-kids take over the streets with their Thriller moves. It feels as formal and as rehearsed and as not improvised as (non)flash mobs actually are. They are not weather. They are performance.

I'd love to happen across one of these. Just saying. (And please do wear the penguin suits!)

^{Thanks for the tip, Marco.}

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Beautiful.

Posted by Machiavelli was framed on July 2, 2012 at 11:53 AM

This flashmob, from about the same time, has a very similar feel. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJNp5UKRt…

Posted by muon1183

on July 2, 2012 at 11:55 AM

This was amazing! Thank you so much for posting it!

Posted by AndyInChicago on July 2, 2012 at 12:05 PM

This is wonderful!

Posted by lizlemon on July 2, 2012 at 12:07 PM

I had tears in my eyes by the time that was over.

Posted by beatgrl on July 2, 2012 at 12:08 PM

LVB 4 the win.

Posted by butterw on July 2, 2012 at 12:11 PM

More interesting than a bunch of people doing some sort of Glee event.

It does feel rehearsed and planned, though, and that has less to do with the music and more with the camera work, the waiting crowds of people sitting around like they know something is about to happen, and the girl standing in the middle like an actor with directions to follow. It feels less like a flash mob and more like a chamber orchestra that decided to practice outside for the day.

Which is just fine, of course. Maybe the world would be a better place if we had more orchestras playing outside. (Maybe it would just be noisier. I don't know.)

Posted by Zebes

on July 2, 2012 at 12:12 PM

And that's why it's the Ode to Joy. Ah, Beethoven.

Posted by Bauhaus I on July 2, 2012 at 1:49 PM

Shame the the bassoon didn't play its counterpoint line, that's the best part of the piece!

Posted by ace9415 on July 2, 2012 at 2:44 PM

If you can call a group of professionals hired to celebrated the 130th anniversary of a private capital bank a "flash mob." It was quite lovely and a treat but these people were paid to be there. I'm sure it was very entertaining to the passers-by, but viral marketing does not a flash mob make.

Posted by thatsnotright on July 2, 2012 at 5:50 PM

@10 "flash mob" isn't some sort of sacred distinction. Flash mobs are usually self-congratulatory assholes doing thriller moves. This was a beautiful performance and if you don't think it deserves the elevated title of "flash mob," then so be it.

Posted by anarchy burger on July 2, 2012 at 6:10 PM

@11 I no where said flash mobs are "elevated". I didn't even imply it. I said there is a difference between a flash mob and an event organized and paid for as marketing. Flash mobs are usually non-commercial. Don't put words in my mouth just because you don't care for flash mobs. If you had any reading comprehension you would have noted that I said it was lovely. Learn how to read.

Posted by thatsnotright on July 2, 2012 at 7:10 PM

I fear I am a snob to I say I felt my heart break each time they jump cut past huge sections of music. Possibly the 25 most beautiful minutes of music ever composed, tweezed down to a digestible 5'40... I can't help but think if the musicians were in the driver's seat, they would have secured and posted an unabridged take. Do you not sense it, world?

Posted by Arsfrisco on July 2, 2012 at 9:31 PM

@9

<3

Posted by bugwitch on July 2, 2012 at 9:45 PM

I think one of the best parts of this is seeing the kids enjoy the music so much. It just reminds me how much kids should be exposed to instrumental and classical music, and given the opportunity to play a part in creating it, dancing to it, and reveling in it. Only then will our arts have a foundation for the future in adults who were exposed to it as kids and developed a loving (or begrudging if you ask a teen) appreciation for it. Thanks for posting this.

Posted by SeattleTransplant on July 3, 2012 at 10:23 AM